I foolishly took on reading the next Jilly Cooper book on my list this year, and at close to 600 pages it has taken up most of my reading time. That said, the length and epic scale of Jilly Cooper books is one of my favourite things about them - you get to live with the characters for longer and there are so many twists and turns that you're hooked the whole time. However, it doesn't leave much time for anything else, but I did manage to squeeze in a couple of extra reads that need to get on your TBR list, stat...

The buzz about this book has been huge, so I suspect you've already heard about it - but if not, this is one that you really need on your radar. Dolly Alderton's memoir is about dating, growing up, living in London, and friendship - all topics which I'm sure you've read about before. But, you've never read about it like this before - this is a whole new take on what can be an oversaturated genre that took me by surprise and at turns had me laughing at loud and weeping real tears.

There are delightful little snippets of satire and a few recipes thrown in between the chapters to give a change of pace and really allow Dolly's full personality to shine through - she's a multi-talented writer with wit and warmth, and this makes what could be yet another reformed-party-girl, twenty-something-millennial memoir into something so much more.

More than anything else, this book is a love letter to Dolly's friends, particularly her oldest and dearest friend Farly. Friendship is a subject that gets neglected, both in literature and in life, but I have always found tales of enduring friendship more moving than tales of romantic love. If I was Farly, I would have started crying in the very first chapter and never ever stopped again (which is probably why I'm not friends with someone as cool as Dolly Alderton).

This book will break your heart and heal it again in the course of its pages, and it absolutely needs to be on your reading list for this year.

I'm a little sceptical about thrillers - so many of the 'must-read' ones I have picked up in recent years hinge on vivid descriptions of sexual violence that seem to be designed to shock without much thought behind the perpetrator's motivation or how sexual violence operates more widely in society. That said, if Bethany and Alice, the hosts of one of my favourite book-ish podcasts, What Page Are You On?, recommend something, I am 100% on board - which is how this book fell into my lap.

When bestselling author Bo meets wannabe-writer Alice at a writers' retreat, the two quickly fall into an intense and sinister relationship that ends with one of them in prison... but which one? And who is telling the truth about what happened between them? The blurb on Amazon describes this as an 'unbalancing psychological thriller' and that's exactly how I felt whilst reading it - unbalanced. With conflicting accounts from the two narrators, it's difficult to grasp at the facts, but as the book hurtles towards its conclusion, you can't help but feel unsettled by what's happening. Whilst I wasn't entirely satisfied with the ending, this was a clever and original thriller that defied a lot of the things that usually put me off about the genre - if you're looking for something fast-paced, atmospheric and absorbing then look no further!

If you need a bit of uplifting inspiration in your life, then I would highly recommend picking up Shonda Rhimes' incredible memoir. Although she seemed to 'have it all', writing & producing three hit network TV shows whilst raising her daughters, a throwaway comment from her sister made Shonda realise that she was deeply unhappy. She was stuck in a habit of saying no out of fear, so she made a vow to say yes to every opportunity that came her way for a year.

From speaking engagements to TV appearances and simply just playing with her kids every time they asked, it was a transformative year - and a huge inspiration for anyone who feels like they're stuck in a rut. There's a reason Shonda Rhimes is one of the most famous TV writers in the world - her humour, honesty and ability to give you all the feels are very much present in this book and I fell totally in love with her way of writing, and with her. I didn't want this book to end, but I left it on a total high - the perfect kick up the butt for a depressing time of year!

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links and buy something, I may receive a small commission. Books marked with a * were provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Relationships can be hard, but love is easy. If it's not easy, it's probably not love.

It is always better to tell someone that you love them than it is to keep it to yourself. You will regret it far more if you don't than if you do. Taking a risk is scary, but life (and love) is for the brave.

Love cannot be sustained by two people alone. You cannot be all things to one person. It takes a village.

Love the person in front of you. Not who you want them to be, or who they used to be, or who they might be.

Dating is hard. No single person ever needs advice from someone in a relationship. Lend your ear, tell them they are loved, but keep your advice to yourself.

Sometimes two good people can be bad for each other. Not all exes (yours or your friends') are terrible humans, although some of them are. Find the people that bring out the good, rather than the bad, out of you and hold onto them instead.

Chick flicks are really not a good representation of relationships and love, but they'll still make you cry, every time.

How to stay in love: Try to be kind. Forgive more often. Laugh a lot. Know that you are wrong as often as you are right.

In a relationship, you will have to commit to spending time with their family, their friends, watching their favourite TV shows. It's okay, because they will do the same for you. (If they don't, you should reassess the relationship.)

Watching the person you love become a parent will make you fall in love even more than you can imagine. Loving a tiny person together is the greatest joy. You will be parents together forever (so choose carefully, if you can).

Generosity and kindness and sense of humour will go further in love than anything else.

Everyone is loveable. Everyone is fanciable. Including you. Especially you.

It's easy to be lazy in love. If you want it to last, make an effort. But not more effort than the other person in the grand scheme of the relationship.

Motherhood will help you find deep wells of love that you never knew existed. Not just for your baby but also for everyone else around you.

I think people are a bit wary of leftover rice - it's got a reputation of being a bit tricky to store and reheat. I probably have a bit more of a lax attitude towards leftovers than others - basically, if it doesn't smell off or have a green furry covering then I'll probably still eat it. And so, I am perfectly happy to store my rice in the fridge (if you're concerned, make sure it goes in within an hour of being cooked) and use it up the next day. It's worth it, because rice pudding is one of the most comforting dishes you can make - and using cooked rice makes it a lot faster than starting from scratch.

I've been making mine with coconut milk and topping with chopped pistachios, coconut flakes and pomegranate seeds as a replacement for porridge in the morning, but the options are endless. I've tried almond milk with a sprinkle cinnamon and a dollop of apple compote. Coconut milk with some fresh mango might be nice. The one pictured is made with 'regular' milk, a little splash of cream, a swirl of raspberry compote and a sprinkling of the aforementioned chopped pistachios - using up a bunch of leftovers all at once. I've got some pears that I'm thinking of grating over some later in the week. Maybe a little bit of dark chocolate stirred through. Let your imagination go wild, and never let leftover rice languish in the fridge again!

How To Make Rice Pudding with Leftover Rice

1. Put your leftover rice into a saucepan and cover with milk (or a dairy milk alternative like coconut, soy or almond).

2. Add a sprinkle or sugar or a squeeze of honey or maple syrup to sweeten, if desired, and stir through

3. Bring to the boil and then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook until the liquid has been mostly absorbed (but the mixture has not gone dry), stirring occasionally.

4. Test and add more milk if you want the consistency to be softer or creamier. Simmer until absorbed, as above.

5. Remove from the heat and serve into bowls. Top with your choice of fruit and nuts, and enjoy!

Pin it for later...

Long before I was pregnant, I imagined the kind of parent I would be. It's only natural, after all, to think about your own childhood and all the good parts you want to adopt, and all the not-so-good bits you'd leave behind (although I'll bet there are plenty of parents out there who have vowed not to repeat the 'mistakes' of their parents and find themselves doing the exact same thing just a few years later...).

There are plenty of models for motherhood out there, some of them stereotypes like the yummy mummy (or the slummy mummy) and some of them real life examples, people we know in real life or who we follow on Instagram (although always take those with a pinch of salt). Not counting the endless depictions of motherhood, good and bad, on screen and in books. So, there are also plenty of opportunities to imagine the kind of mother you want, or expect, to be, even before you hold your baby in your arms.

I think we all want to be what we envision to be the 'perfect' mother; that probably looks different for everyone, with a few common threads, depending on your values and lifestyle, but as it's such an important role, I can't imagine there are many who wouldn't do it 'perfectly' if they could. And, as a perfectionist and overachiever in so many areas of my life, I expected to be striving to be that perfect mother even more once Benjamin was born.

But instead, as I have spoken about before, I am a lot more relaxed and less anxious than I expected. I am also a lot less fussed about things that I thought I would be. Case in point: weaning. I love food, and I am pretty dedicated to making as much food as I can from scratch - so I thought I would be whipping up all sorts of meals for Benjamin right from the get go. But, right now, he's not all that interested and do you know what he likes best? An Ella's Kitchen pouch of puree - regardless of the flavour. So, whilst it isn't a permanent solution (too expensive), why beat myself up about not really wanting to spend time steaming and blending and cooking and freezing? The perfect mother may have endless supplies of home-made baby food on hand, but I am choosing to let go of my perfectionism and focus on the baby that's in front of me, who's happy as long as he has a carrot snack in one hand and a spoon of puree in the other.

I was listening to the Dear Sugar podcast earlier this week (I know, shocker, right? Amy listens to a podcast and wants to tell you about it...) and they spoke to a mother who said she didn't want perfectionism to get in the way of her relationship with her children. And that hit me straight in the heart. It summed up exactly how I'm feeling about the distance between the mother I thought I would be, nurturing and present and, well, perfect and the mother that I am, which is loving but cultivating an air of what in my family we call healthy neglect. It's working for us, and ultimately it is my relationship with Benjamin which matters most - not whether all his food is organic, or all of his clothes are ironed (none of them are...).

I know we are only at the first hurdle of parenthood, with so much of the race still out in front of us. There are plenty of opportunities to stumble to come, and stumble we undoubtedly shall. But, I want to carry this feeling forward - the knowledge that I *am* a good mother, and doing everything 'perfectly' isn't necessarily what Benjamin, or I, need or even want. A friend of mine recently lost her mother, and the stories she told at the funeral were not about perfect packed lunches or a finished laundry pile, but about the chaotic, silly and *fun* times that bonded them together. She was a perfect mother for her children - perfect, but not a perfectionist. And isn't that what we would all like to be?

If you go for a coffee and didn't Instagram it, did it even happen? Leeds has plenty of places to find a delicious cup of coffee that will also help you up your Insta-game. If, like me, your criteria for a cuppa is as much about the aesthetics as it is about the caffeine then you'll need to check these spots out...

Not only is pretty much everything at Café 164 baked on site, you'll also get a side of culture with your coffee here. With steadily rotating exhibitions gracing the walls of the attached gallery, a living wall and plenty of light from the big windows, this is the perfect spot to get your shot!

With bi-fold doors opening out onto the streets of Leeds, uber-cool interiors, food by the amazing Grub & Grog and a beautiful bit of street art on the side of the building, the opportunity for Instagram shots is endless at Sheaf St Cafeteria!

A little tucked away from the hustle & bustle, Scandi-inspired Fettle is pretty enough for a range of shots, whether your area of interest is food, interiors, coffee or the classic 'staring out the window' Instagram...

Headingley & Meanwood

As indicated by the name, you can get something stronger than just coffee here so the opportunities for a dreamy snap are endless. Pooches are allowed in, too, if you want to up the cuteness factor on your 'gram.

A hungover meal here is basically a rite of passage for students, but their morning-after breakfasts isn't all this stylish cafe has to offer to the enthusiastic Instagrammer... Just look at those colourful teapots!

If you're into the art of hygge, you need to get yourself to Stories. Cool Scandi interiors, some of the best Avocado on Toast in the city, and your most-liked-Instagram of the week await you. You're welcome...

What are your favourite coffee shops in Leeds? Any Instagram gems that I've missed from my list?

As a parent, you're supposed to be the one teaching your child but I have found that I am learning as much from Ben as he is learning from me. Here are a few things that my funny little man has been teaching me...

Joy Should Be Your Default Setting

Benjamin is always waiting to be delighted by something; he's never cynical or suspicious and he is so quick to raise a smile. His natural state is a happy one, and I think we could all take that on board a little more. Start from a place of joy, and joy will flow more easily to you. Don't expect everything to be awful, expect it to be interesting and fun, and it probably will be!

Never Give Up On Your Goals

All Benjamin wants to do right now is move, but his limbs will not co-operate. Does he give up? Not likely! Every day he rolls onto his front and pedals his arms and legs, hoping to get some tractions. He knows that one day he will be able to crawl and then the world will be his oyster, so even though he gets frustrated, he still keeps going. We should all be so determined!

Don't Be Afraid to Express Your Needs

Does Benjamin worry what I will think if he demands his milk or lets me know that he's tired? Nope. Babies have to be pretty up front about their needs and as a result, he gets what he wants. As adults we can't take quite the same tactic - wailing loudly probably won't get you very far - but rather than worrying about what other people will think about us, why not just express what you need clearly and simply? You can't get it if you don't ask!

Naps and Snacks Are Always a Good Idea

I mean, this goes without saying, but having a baby has forced me to slow down in our days together. We've got into a habit of having three little naps together in the day when we're at home and they are some of my favourite times. Whilst I don't actually sleep (since I'm holding Ben), it is a restful time for me and that makes all the difference to my mental wellbeing.

Similarly, Ben will take pretty much any snack that's offered. He doesn't worry about calorie content or nutritional value (although luckily I am doing that for him!) - he just thinks food is fun and tasty. And you know what? Food *is* fun and tasty. So have a snack!

Live In The Moment

Ben only knows the moment. As soon as he's comforted, he stops crying and forgets what the source of his pain was. As soon as a toy is presented, that's the one he wants to play with. When do we stop living in the moment? It's something that babies and toddlers seem to do instinctively but is so much harder as an adult. Hanging out with Ben makes it much easier to stay in the moment, and he sets a good example for enjoying whatever's in front of you right now and not worrying about the future.

Smile!

There's not many situations that can't be improved by beaming a big smile. Benjamin is the king of charming shop staff, waitresses, old people in the street - as soon as someone smiles at him, he's grinning away and it just brings a lot of extra happiness into everyone's day. Whilst I don't think my smile will have quite the same effect as a cute baby's, it's always better to go in with a smile than with a frown - you might make someone's day, even if you're not six months old!

I always find this bit of winter more difficult than other times of year. I am a naturally anxious person but I can mostly keep on top of it, but post-Christmas and New Year, I always find it harder to wade through and remain my usual sunny self. It's just a bleak time of year, and from everything I've seen, I'm not the only person who feels the same. But, Spring is on its way, albeit rather slowly, so things are looking up, and after a couple of tougher weeks, I've put a few things in place to help me get through until the sun is shining again!

I'm Letting Go of My Desire for Productivity

When Ben was around two months old, I was finding my inability to get a lot done on our days together incredibly frustrating. I wanted to be productive, even if that meant just getting a few loads of laundry done - but it was often impossible with a baby who didn't like to be put down all that much. I don't know whether it's the fact that he's slowly starting to become a little bit more independent, or maybe because he's going longer between feeds and naps which allows for a bit more free time, but I've been able to let go of a lot of that frustration recently. Instead, I'm very aware that we only have a few more weeks where it's just the two of us (almost) every day, so I'm leaning into the lack of productivity rather than fighting against him.

I'm Focusing In On My Most Important Tasks

Following on from the above, I *am* working hard at my one, most important task which, right now, is starting the process of weaning with Ben. It's new for both of us and whilst we work it out together, it's taking up quite a big chunk of my day. But, since it's my most important task, that's absolutely a-okay. Rather than trying to squish loads of other things into the day and overwhelming myself, I'm building our schedule around meal times to give us both enough time to adjust to this new thing.

I'm Remembering That Worrying Won't Change The Outcome

I find it very easy to tie myself up in knots thinking about the future, but it's really a waste of energy. It's a habit I'm very much in the middle of, but I am trying hard to remember that worrying will do nothing to actually protect me from negative outcomes. Yes, the transition to nursery will probably be difficult but what's the point in panicking about it when we're still in the maternity leave stage? What good does that do anyone? It's still in the back of my mind, along with a myriad of other things, but I'm trying harder to push those thoughts aside.

I'm Not Over-Scheduling Myself

When we only really have weekends together, it can be very tempting to jam pack them with fun stuff: visiting friends, receiving guests, doing day trips and other such things. Whilst I do want to do all of those things, I also know that I am more stressed if I start the week with everything in disarray; it's a lot easier to get things done and keep our day-to-day lives running when we have a bit of space at the weekends.

I'm Working Things Until They're Done

Contrary to my first couple of points, I can't abandon my to-do list completely. I wouldn't feel myself without my notebook of constantly scribbled to-dos by my side. But, rather than worrying about the length of the list, I am just working things until they are done. Crossing things off makes me feel far better than just worrying about how much I have to do, and I have so much less time to get things done than I did this time last year so I'm just getting stuck in when I can. It helps my wellbeing to be on top of things as far as I can, so I'm also asking Paul for help where I can.

I am lucky to have strong foundations underneath me. My relationship with Paul, our home and our life together, my job, my friends and community. All of that brings me joy, but at the same time it feels a little too safe, a little too staid right now. I don't know whether it's because I finally feel like 'me' again after the rollercoaster that is pregnancy and early motherhood, finally able to concentrate on something that isn't just Benjamin, or whether it's because birthdays and New Year are always a reflective time and as I approach 30 (!) I am having a minor crisis, but even with everything I have, I'm not sure I'm quite satisfied.

Someone I went to University with is featured on the latest Forbes Under 30 list, which is an incredible achievement. Obviously, comparison is the thief of joy, as we all know, but I think we are all guilty of feeling a little envious when someone else does something amazing. As I sat with my sleeping baby, still in pyjamas with hair unwashed, reading the article, it definitely gave me pause. Whilst I doubt that anything I will achieve in life will ever attract the attention of Forbes (and I'm not sure I want it to), I do want to *do* something. Something that is above and beyond my comfortable, contented life. I have been guilty on many occasions of taking the easy, safe route because stability and control are important to me. But doing so doesn't bring great achievements. I have so many dreams and ideas in my head, all of which would mean taking more risks and challenging myself more - but maybe now is the time to start doing that a little more.

Becoming a mother has meant giving a lot of myself to my family. My days are currently spent caring for Benjamin and tending to our home and the myriad of chores that come along. That is not to say that I have been completely neglected, but my energy has been elsewhere, rather than on my own achievements and goals. Whilst it will be a long time, if ever, until I can selfishly take all that energy back for myself, I want to start focusing what I do have to spare in a more forward facing direction. Twenty-eight is going to be the year of achieving things.

As part of my intention to live more ethically this year, I am making a concerted effort to use up all the food we have. I have a short attention span when it comes to food, so I usually avoid leftovers as much as possible because I know I won't fancy the same thing again the next day, but there are always a few things floating about by the end of the week, however much I try to plan ahead and make sure we only buy as much as we need. So I'm trying to find some ways to use our leftovers that are more exciting and mean I'm a bit more motivated to use up everything in the fridge. Cue the frittata!

A frittata is the perfect way to use up any scraps of vegetables - either those that never made it into a meal in the first place, or leftovers from dishes in the week - and other bits and pieces that might be lurking in the fridge. For this one, I used some slices of chorizo from pizzas we'd made, half a block of feta which hadn't been used to top the harissa chicken we had the previous day, and some mushrooms, tomatoes, spinach and spring onions, on top of the onion and potato base that makes up any frittata. But really, each frittata can be unique depending on what you have on hand.

The size of your frying pan determines how big your frittata is, and therefore how many eggs, potatoes and onions you'll need. I made mine in a shallow casserole dish big enough to feed 4-5 people so I used three potatoes, one whole onion and ten eggs - but you can wing it based on the size of your own pan. Don't go too heavy on the potato or it'll become a bit stodgy, and you'll need enough eggs to cover the contents.

You'll need to thinly slice and par-boil your potatoes for around 5 minutes. Fry off your onion and any vegetables or ingredients that need longer for cooking (broccoli or chorizo for example) followed by any quicker cooking vegetables like mushrooms. Add your sliced potato, beat your eggs and pour over the whole lot. Cook for 5 minutes or so, until the egg mixture has started to go opaque at the edges, before topping with cheese and tomatoes, if using, and transferring to a hot grill until puffed up and golden brown. Slice and serve!

As you can tell, this isn't a recipe, per se, but more of a suggestion to have a go. Any number of combinations will be delicious, and a frittata makes a great lunch - and keeps well in the fridge to take in your lunchbox if you so desire. I'm sure I'll be whipping up plenty more to use up what's in the fridge - and I'll be sure to add my favourite combinations below as I go!

Hello!

I live in Leeds with my husband, Paul, our son, Benjamin, and our cat, Tuna Fey.

This blog is a little snapshot of my life, just as it is right now. It's a collection of many things; from motherhood and family to recipes, crafts, books and interiors.

Follow Me...

Subscribe

Sign up for all the latest news...

Email Address

We respect your privacy.

Thank you!

Dislaimer

All content on Amy Elizabeth is copyrighted and was created by me, unless otherwise stated. Any products that have been sent/gifted will be marked clearly with a * and all sponsored posts, advertisements and paid partnerships with brands will be disclosed Some (but not all) of the links on Amy Elizabeth are affiliate links, which allows me to make a small amount of money on items purchased via those links at no extra cost to yourself.